UNIQUE WHISKY WAREHOUSE OPENED IN THE ARCTIC

The northernmost distillery in the world opens a new, Viking inspired warehouse.

Aurora Spirit, the worlds northernmost distillery is pleased to announce the completion of their new warehouse, situated at 69 degrees north in Arctic Norway.

The distillery already uses ex NATO / WW2 bunkers to mature its spirits underground, however the new warehouse is situated above ground to deliberately face more exposure to the Arctic elements.

The design is based on a modern Viking longhouse, constructed in massive wood by local builders on solid rock foundations. Temperatures can be extreme in the Arctic with winters to minus 17 and summers, although short lived, peaking just above 20 degrees. A unique feature of the warehouse is the turf roof, harping back to traditional Viking / Norwegian buildings, this not only looks good but has a very practical use.

The turf, planted with local grasses and wild flowers, protects the building from the direct sunlight in the summer and insulates the building in the winter. The inside is almost cathedral like with strong arches
from floor to ceiling supporting the structure, subtle and atmospheric lighting also adds to the experience.

The design is not only based on efficient and effective maturation temperatures and air flow for the casks, but also designed to be a unique visitor experience. There is ample safe access to view the casks, take in the atmosphere and smell the aroma of maturing whisky. The tasting zone has displays of the casks used and an intimate bar area to relax and taste some distillery exclusive whiskies or enjoy a dram drawn directly from the cask. Again this area is constructed in wood using recycled off cuts from the construction, old casks and staves.

Inside the warehouse is now filling up, there are some unique single casks and a vast amount of experimental maturation going on. Lurking in corners you may find some Sauterne casks, Mezcal, Rum, Rye, Madeira and many others.

Contact info:
Tor Christensen, CEO
Aurora Spirit Distillery AS
Phone: (+47) 91904260
Epost: post@auroraspirit.com
Lyngseidet, 9060 Lyngseidet
NORWAY
www.auroraspirit.com

A Virtual Tasting with Ben Chambers from the Speyside GlenAllachie Distillery Friday 22nd April 7pm

£30.00

Limited Release:
Glen Scotia 10 Year Old Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Finish
Campbeltown Malts Festival 2021

Campbeltown may be the smallest of Scotland’s whisky regions yet it is steeped in the most history and at one point was known as the malt capital of the world. Locals speak of humorous tales of warehouse casks bursting and whisky flowing the streets, with neighbours out on the roads with pots and pans to pinch a taste. There are even songs sung from the region:

“Oh Campbeltown Loch, ah wish ye were whisky,
Campbeltown Loch, och-aye!
Oh Campbeltown Loch, I wish ye were whisky,
I would drink ye dry!”

Once a town full to the brim of some 30+ distilleries, there is a festival in May every year to celebrate this rich heritage.

Here is a lovely old photo from the port👇

This limited release 10-year-old is completely unpeated, firstly matured using first fill bourbon casks with a five month finish in Bordeaux red wine barrels from the Medoc region of France. Once the Master Blender, Michael Henry, is happy with the balance between the honey sweetness from the bourbon casks and the red fruit spice from the red wine barrels, the whisky is married in refill bourbon casks and then bottled at a cask strength of 56.1% ABV. Natural in colour and free from chill filtration.

On the nose there are crushed red berries, floral notes of rose and violet with heather honey and the classic maritime breeze typical of all Glen Scotia whiskies. The palate has a base of honey and plenty of vanilla sweetness, opening up in vibrancy with strawberry and apple, and lime citrus. The finish is long with spiced notes of cinnamon and star anise.

The sun has been peeking out from behind the clouds and slowly but surely, our social restrictions will soon be lifting. That can only mean one thing – April will be the month to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Next week’s Outturn will see us explore how outdoor pursuits can be a game-changer in how we taste and enjoy whisky. Whether you’re a fan of extreme sports or maybe more of a gentle stroll, we’re sure to have a whisky for you in our fascinating selection.

And if you can’t wait to get our exploring, we have five intriguing casks from the April Outturn available online in limited amounts at 4pm (UK time) this afternoon. Time to dust off the walking boots!

VIEW NEW BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Video for this week.

https://youtu.be/aUk6mNI-XkU 

Laphroaig® Unveils 10 Year Old Sherry Oak

£65 | 48% | 700ml

Available from The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Shop and Master of Malt

London, 23^rd March 2021: Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig is excited to announce the launch of 10 Year Old Sherry Oak – a new take on its iconic single malt, and a welcome addition to the core range – available from Monday 12th April at The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Shop and Master of Malt.

Finished in Oloroso sherry casks for twelve to eighteen months, this new expression combines the unforgettable flavour of the Laphroaig 10 Year Old with the sweet and aromatic flavours of the sherry casks. Each cask has been carefully selected to compliment the distinct taste of Laphroaig, adding a complexity and balance which is sure to excite Laphroaig lovers everywhere.

Laphroaig Sherry Oak shines an auburn and tawny colour, and has a rich, full bodied flavour. The marriage of casks creates notes of Manuka honey, bacon, and maple syrup, alongside the classic smoke, seaweed, and hint of salt that Laphroaig is known and loved for. As with all Laphroaig expressions, the finish is long-lasting, sweet, and spicy.

Since 1815 Laphroaig has been creating premium single malt Scotch whisky, and the new Sherry Oak finish presents a new flavour profile for lovers of the Islay-distillery’s unforgettable flavour. For the discerning whisky lover, who is drawn to Laphroaig as the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies, this is a must-have cabinet addition.

John Campbell, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, has said “We are so excited to announce the release of our unique and premium expression, Sherry Oak, taking our iconic Laphroaig 10 Year Old and finishing it with the sweet flavours of Oloroso sherry cask. This is a perfect accompaniment to any whisky collection and a celebrated addition to the Laphroaig range.”

Tasting Notes 

Nose:

Sweet and peaty with medicinal notes, Manuka honey, with strong clove aroma but also grilled smoky bacon, a distinctive character of sweet leather, iodine, and pine tar.

Palate:

Sweet and aromatic, with rich wax and furniture polish notes followed by treacle toffee, maple syrup, bitter dark chocolate combined with oak shavings, pine needle and cedar scented wood.

Finish:

The finish is long sweet and spicy with chestnut honey and antiseptic aroma lingering.

Colour:

Tawny, Auburn.

Maturation:

European Oak Oloroso Sherry Finished + Refill Oloroso Sherry matured + American Oka ex-Bourbon Matured.

Serving:

Best served neat, with ice or a drop of water.

ABV:

Bottled at 48% ABV

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com

THE FAMOUS GROUSE REVEALS EPIC NEW LAUNCH: THE FAMOUS LIONS

The limited-edition bottle has been released to mark the brand’s role as Official Sponsor and whisky of the British and Irish Lions

Available exclusively at Tesco from March 30^th 2021 

March 2021, London: The Famous Grouse, the no.1 Whisky in the UK, has announced the limited-edition launch of The Famous Lions, to celebrate the brand’s role as the Official Sponsor and whisky of The British & Irish Lions.

The special bottle sees the iconic The Famous Grouse label transformed to read ‘The Famous British & Irish Lions’. Available exclusively at Tesco (RRP £17.00), customers can get their paws on a bottle from Tuesday 30^th March 2021.

As one of the world’s most popular blends, The Famous Grouse combines a creamy malt and biscuit flavour with a hint of spice to create a smooth, well balanced yet unique blend.

Scotland’s favourite whisky is best served neat, or as part of a ‘Grouse and Ginger’ cocktail, combining the blend with tangy ginger ale. The Famous Lions is the ideal dram to enjoy whilst watching the Lions tour at home or toast a try with friends once pubs and bars reopen later this year.

Chris Anderson, Head of Edrington Brands said: “The launch of The Famous Lions is an exciting addition to The Famous Grouse range, and demonstrates how the spirit of rugby and how much we value sport. We have been investing in the sport of rugby for the past 30 years, so we are extremely excited to announce our commitment to this great game through this partnership. We hope to engage with The Famous Grouse and Lions fans by offering a bespoke bottle to celebrate our coming together.”

For further information or to join the conversation, please visit @TheFamousGrouseUK on Facebook, @TheFamousGrouse on Twitter and on Instagram @TheFamousGrouseUK

RRP 1L: £17.00 with a clubcard
RRP 35cl: £9.00

ABV: 40%

Appearance: Full golden, clear, and bright

Aroma: Candied fruits, buttery shortbread, citrus peel

Taste: Dried fruit, soft spices (cinnamon/ginger), hint of oak

Finish: Smooth, well balanced

About The Famous Grouse

Founded in 1800, The Famous Grouse is smooth and perfectly balanced, proudly recognised as the UK’s no.1 Whisky and has been Scotland’s favourite whisky for over 40 years.

Scotland’s favourite blend of the finest malts and exceptional grain whiskies means 43 million bottles of The Famous Grouse are consumed in over 100 markets around the world each year.

About Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK

Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest sprits sales, marketing, and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading whisky brands in categories including:

• Blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Naked Grouse)
• Malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan and Bowmore)

Three decades in first fill sherry barrels.
48.6% ABV. 348 bottles.

Linkwood 1990
30 Year Old
£600.00

Buy Now

Independently bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for their famous Connoissuers Choice range, this 1990 Linkwood single malt whisky has spent three decades in a first fill sherry butt before being bottled in October 2020 at 48.6% abv without chill filtration or added colouring. Highly limited, just 348 bottles have been produced.

Nose: rich caramel and cherries, with polish aromas and toffee.

Palate: warm nut loaf, orange and gentle cinnamon spice

Finish: orange freshness with cloves and a hint of tobacco

Glenfiddich Grande Couronne 26 Year Old Cognac Finish

This beautifully-presented 26-year-old single malt displays all of the famed Speyside distillery’s usual fruity vibrancy, layered with soft spice and honeyed notes from its time in ex-Cognac casks. A limited-edition single malt from Glenfiddich, Grande Couronne has been finished in ex-Cognac casks and was bottled after 26 years. On the palate that classic Glenfiddich vibrancy and lifted orchard fruits, while the Cognac gives deeper dried fruits, notes of honey, orange peel and roasted almonds. This is a combination of Scottish heritage with French opulence, a dram to be sipped and savoured.

£450

Loch Lomond Whiskies mark The 149^th Open with two limited editions

Loch Lomond Whiskies, the Official Spirit of The Open, has unveiled two new special limited edition single malts to mark The 149^th Open at Royal St George’s, which will take place this July.

The Loch Lomond “Open Course Collection Royal St George’s 2021” and “The Open Special Edition 2021” have been specially crafted by master blender Michael Henry, to celebrate Loch Lomond Whiskies’ first visit to England as the Official Spirit of The Open.

The Loch Lomond Open Course Collection 2021 has been created using specially commissioned English Virgin Oak casks, to celebrate Loch Lomond Whiskies’ first visit to Royal St George’s famous links.

Bottled in a traditional non-chill filtered manner, the 20-year-old expression has been created in partnership with Open Champion, Darren Clarke, Loch Lomond Whiskies ambassador, and bears his signature on the carton. The expression joins a collection of expressions created by Loch Lomond Whiskies to mark previous Open Championships in 2018 and 2019.

Bottled at an ABV of 50.2% and priced at £160, the Loch Lomond Open Course Collection has a rich mouth feel and showcases complex flavours including spiced apple, elderflower and caramel, before a long, dry finish of lime citrus, cumin and ginger.

The Open Special Edition 2021, created in partnership with European Tour Legend and Loch Lomond Whiskies’ ambassador Colin Montgomerie, uses a combination of spirits from both Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique straight neck and traditional pot stills, delivering a delicious and fruity single malt of exceptional quality.

As with all Loch Lomond Single Malts, the underlying fruity character of the distillery shines with a gentle hint of smoke on the finish. The spirit has been matured in three types of American oak casks, managed by our onsite cooperage. Michael Henry then marries the casks together before a final finish in Virgin American oak.

Bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered to keep things as nature intended, The Loch Lomond Open Special Edition 2021 has an RRP of £40 and is a perfect dram for any golf or whisky lover.

Loch Lomond Whiskies’ became The Official Spirit of The Open in 2018. The 149^th Open was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The championship will be played at Royal St George’s this July, with The 150^th Open at St Andrews taking place in 2022.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said: “Like all golf enthusiasts across the world, we were disappointed to learn of the postponement of The Open last year, but we are very much looking forward to the championship returning in the summer.

“We are very proud of our partnership with The Open, which has allowed us to showcase the very best of the Loch Lomond Whiskies range among golf and sport fans across the world. Both our Special Edition and Open Course Collection expressions are very special limited editions and are emblematic of the true diversity and distilling expertise we have at our Loch Lomond Distillery, and mark Loch Lomond Whiskies’ first trip to Royal St George’s as the Official Spirit of The Open perfectly.”

Michael Henry, Master Distiller added: “It has been a real pleasure crafting these limited editions to mark this year’s Open Championship. We’re thrilled that The Open will be returning this year, and both The Open Special Edition and the Course Collection expressions are a fantastic tribute to the 2021 Championship, each expression showcasing Loch Lomond Whiskies’ character wonderfully.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies, based in Alexandria near Loch Lomond, agreed a five-year partnership with The R&A, organisers of The Open, in February 2018.  Known as “The One”, The Open has the widest international reach of the major championships with qualifying events taking place across five continents.

Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A, said: “Loch Lomond Whiskies’ special edition products have already proven to be a big hit with fans of The Open, bringing together two of Scotland’s greatest exports beautifully: golf and whisky.

“Following an unprecedented year, we are very much looking forward to Royal St George’s this summer. Both golf and whisky fans alike will be able to enjoy a taste of The Open and raise a dram to our championship returning.”

The Loch Lomond Open Special Edition 2021 and The Loch Lomond Whiskies Course Collection are now available to purchase from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and selected retailers.

Tasting Notes

Loch Lomond Open Course Collection 2021 Royal St George’s

Nose: Spiced apple, elderflower and vanilla

Taste: Opens with a caramel sweetness, green apple and honeydew melon, before mellowing into toasted oak and spiced cloves

Finish: Lingering with lime, cumin and ginger.

Loch Lomond Open Special Edition

Nose: Caramel and toffee, poached pear, red apple with fresh vanilla.

Taste: Chewy toffee with green apple, apricot jam and lemon citrus.

Finish: Toasted oak, a gentle smokiness then warming oak spice of cinnamon and clove.

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
  • PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
  • GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old
• Loch Lomond Whiskies signed a five-year partnership with The R&A to become The Spirit of The Open in February 2019. The period includes the playing of the landmark 150^th Open in 2021 at St Andrews, the home of golf.
• For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook: Loch Lomond Whiskies and at lochlomondwhiskies.com.